Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo yesterday commented on the arrest of Cesar Sayoc Jr., the Filipino-American who on Friday was arrested for allegedly sending mail bombs to critics of US President Donald Trump.
“Terrorists know no race or ethnicity. They could be of any nationality or a descendant of any nationality,” Panelo said in a statement, reported by GMA News.
He also called terrorists “evil” and said that they are “capable of terrible deeds.”
The 56-year-old Sayoc is a Florida resident who was arrested in the state on Friday, four days after packages containing suspected bombs and explosive devices started being sent to prominent figures of the U.S.’ Democratic Party. At least 13 such packages were sent and are being investigated by authorities.
These include ones sent to President Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, CNN, and actor Robert De Niro, AFP reported.
Sayoc’s Filipino heritage was discovered shortly after his arrest. According to The Philippine Star, his father was born in the Philippines but eventually moved to the U.S. and was naturalized in 1970. His mother, on the other hand, was of Italian descent.
The FBI also has not commented on Sayoc’s possible motive.
Sayoc is a registered Republican voter and been very vocal on his social media accounts about his support for Trump. His white van — which he had been living in — was also covered with pro-Trump and anti-Democrat stickers, CNN reported. Authorities confiscated the van upon Sayoc’s arrest.
According to US public radio station NPR, the FBI identified Sayoc through his fingerprints. His prints were in the system because he had been arrested several times for various cases including theft.
In 2002, Sayoc was also arrested after threatening to throw a bomb at a power company after he became frustrated during a phone call with them.
Sayoc, who according to reports also worked as a stripper, was also arrested for editing his driver’s license to make himself look younger because he was single.
He has been charged with five federal crimes including ones for interstate transportation of explosives, illegal mailing of explosives, and threats against a former president.
He now faces up to 48 years in prison, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said.
Although none of the mail bombs went off, FBI Director Christopher Wray said that they were not “hoax devices,” Vox reported.
